The Towers of Adrala

Chapter 5 - Not for Human Hands (Part Two)

Zook stared at the puddle, a fragment of the lesser moon Nocturne shaking in its reflection. Slowly, without the trappings of thought, Zook turned away. Away from the ridge. Toward the doomed tents.

“No Zook!” Eris shouted, grabbing his arm. For one second, Zook felt a flash of anger. There were still people in there, people who needed help, his help. What was Eris to argue against such a dire command?

If it were anyone else, that flash would have ignited Zook’s rage. Made him tear his arm away and dive back into the carnage. But it was Eris. She knew no rage.

Eris rushed back to the ridge, Zook in tow. The terrified screams behind him pierced his heart, each one seeming to call for him.

Help us.

Save us.

Every fiber of his being told him to obey, to trade his life away. Eris’ hand was like a piece of driftwood in a terrible storm and Zook clung to it just as dearly.

The ridge was so high now that they couldn't climb it on their own, they had to rely on the people above. Someone helped them up and Zook saw how many were gathered, crowding perilously on the ridge's edge. No one, however, brought themselves to jump down. The ridge did not look like it would offer a return.

“Eris, Zook!” came Sye's shout as he pushed his way to them, “Are you all right?”

Eris nodded, “Where's Pird?”

“Down here!”

Zook looked down to find Pird and two other men trying to boost up a woman who looked heavy with child. Eris, Zook and Sye immediately helped her up, then Zook reached down to grab Pird's outstretched hand.

There was another metal screech and the sinking ground plummeted a short ways. Pird fell with it. Water tore its way out from under the rubble, spraying up in white jets. Pird scrambled to his feet and tried to reach for Zook's hand, but his short stature betrayed him. Zook bent down as far as he could and Pird jumped, nearly half a meter of air still between their hands.

“Climb, Pird!” Zook shouted in desperation, feeling the growing groan of the supports in his bones. Pird tried but the stone and soil of the ridge came away in his hands, offering no purchase.

“Eris, I need you to lower me-” Zook began when another earthen groan interrupted him. It was louder this time, something perilous in its tone making everyone grow quiet and still. When it faded away, Zook carefully reached down, Eris’ hold on him letting him go lower. Pird, just as carefully, reached up. No one made a sound; it felt like they were standing on a thin, cracking pane of glass. If anyone moved too fast something terrible would happen. And it did.

As soon as Zook grabbed Pird's hand there was an earth-rending crash. The sinking ground disappeared and in its place rushed up the grasping sea. Light and sound were blotted out and Zook suddenly found himself underwater. The very sea seemed to wrap around him and its displaced weight sucked him down. He couldn't breath, his instinct wouldn't let him breath. He was lost in the watery void.

Cold air struck his face and he gasped for breath as Eris hauled him out. It took him a moment to realize that Sye was shaking him.

“Where's Pird?” he was asking. No, he was shouting. Loud. Panicked.

Zook wanted to shout back, “He's here, I got him!” and he held out his hand. His reeling mind took a second to understand that his hand was absent of Pird’s. Sye released him and dove into the roiling water, leaving Zook to stare at his empty palm in mounting horror. He just had Pird; he was just holding his hand. Then the water tried to pull him down. If it wasn't for Eris...